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Author
Topic: HIV Proviral DNA/RNA negative (Read 18873 times)

I would just like an answer to a simple testing question if possible. I have had an HIV Proviral DNA/RNA test that has come back negative or non-reactive, not sure which, but either way it did not indicate HIV infection. Can anyone tell me if this was two seperate tests and in which case what is the difference between DNA and RNA or is this one test that looks for both.

UK- You are conclusively negative. Take your own advice and move on with your life.

Logged

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

Rapid, I apologise for not keeping to the one thread, it was lazy on my part not to look up the old one, or one of the old ones.

AC, you are right in that I should move on with my life, but I have made a reasoned decision to exclude myself from society, I no longer work or socialise and that is my choice which should be respected. I came here as a result of a broken condom and as such will always be terrfied or sex protected or not. So the alternative is a life of celebacy which is just plain unnatural and has lead to my disinterest in life.

Andy, thanks for your answer regarding the test being sensitive, I was aware that a PCR is a sensitive test, the problem that I am having is understanding if I had two tests or was it just the one. The test that I had was HIV Proviral DNA/RNA, I was under the impression that DNA was for viral load and RNA was more Qualitative. If anyone could shed light on this it would be greatly appreciated as this round of testing cost me a considerable amount of money. Not to mention the private Doctor that I have been seeing who has diagnosed me with Candida.

AC, you are right in that I should move on with my life, but I have made a reasoned decision to exclude myself from society, I no longer work or socialise and that is my choice which should be respected. I came here as a result of a broken condom and as such will always be terrfied or sex protected or not. So the alternative is a life of celebacy which is just plain unnatural and has lead to my disinterest in life.

First, you are still conclusively negative.

Second, whatever your life choices are HIV is not among the factors affecting them. Move on with what ever life choices you want to make but do move past the HIV issue. If I were you I would seek a mental health professional as they can do a world of good.

Logged

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

I have been working with my Dr to get to the root of my problems. The trouble is that the blood tests that I had run have raised alarm bells again regarding HIV.

Firstly my CD4 count is 600, which is on the low side, and secondly my lymphocyte count is 1.33 which is outside of the range which is in fact between 1.5 - 4.0.

Is it in the least bit plausible that these are indicative of an HIV infection that has not been picked up with the tests that I have had. Not wanting to bust everyones balls here with the repeated questions, but the PCR I had was for Group M (subtype a-h) and Group O. The fact is that there are more strains/subtypes out there and with those blood counts it has left me still questioning. What is more the nurse when she saw my tongue said that is a classic sign of HIV infection.

It was both incorrect and irresponsible of the nurse to call anything about your tongue "a classic sign of HIV." The fact is that many symptoms are shared by those who are HIV positive as well as HIV negative.

The ONLY way to know HIV status accurately is with an HIV test. You've done that and tested negative. You ARE HIV negative despite your fears and any symptoms you are having.

You're also (mis)interpreting everyting through an HIV jitters mindset. You CD count is yet another way to NOT correctly evaluate your status. Those numbers can rise and fall for any number of reasons unrelated to HIV.

We're not going to tell you anything differently than we have already. All this obsessing about subtypes and such is irrelevant.

You're trying to make yourself into some special and exceptional case and you're not.

I repeat, ONLY an HIV test result can tell you about your HIV status accurately. If you're going to continue drag this issue along then get tested again with a standard test and collect the inevitable negative result. Maybe that will help you to let go of this.

thanks for the reply. You are right about the nurse and being irresponsible. Two and a half years ago I would have listened to what she said and taken it as absolute, but having been here reading these forums I am aware that symptoms are non-specific so I took her comment with a pinch of salt.

You are right about CD counts changing regularly. It is just annoying that it is so low otherwise I would just put this behind me. I know that it is fanciful to think of rare subtypes, but I am at my wits end working with the Dr and not coming up with anything conclusive.

I have been working with my Dr to get to the root of my problems. The trouble is that the blood tests that I had run have raised alarm bells again regarding HIV.

Firstly my CD4 count is 600, which is on the low side, and secondly my lymphocyte count is 1.33 which is outside of the range which is in fact between 1.5 - 4.0.

Is it in the least bit plausible that these are indicative of an HIV infection that has not been picked up with the tests that I have had. Not wanting to bust everyones balls here with the repeated questions, but the PCR I had was for Group M (subtype a-h) and Group O. The fact is that there are more strains/subtypes out there and with those blood counts it has left me still questioning. What is more the nurse when she saw my tongue said that is a classic sign of HIV infection.

Cheers.

The only thing all of us people with HIV have in common is a positive HIV test. I don't care what your tongue looks like, if you test conclusively negative, you are negative. As for your CD4 count, that still doesn't tell--many people naturally have counts on the lower end of normal and the lymphocyte count wasn't even statistically significant for being low. I won't get into a statistics discussion, but your results are not worrisome. You do not have HIV and the more tests you have, they will still be negative.

On a side note, they already told you about keeping it in one post and I'm sure eventually someone will merge them, but an easy way to find your thread is to click on the 'show own posts' choice under your name in the upper left corner of the screen.

Just wondering if I could get some feedback. I have recently had a lymph subset taken and now have a CD4% of 37, this is considerably lower than the CD4% that I had last time, six months ago which was at 46.2. I note that a lot of people in the living with forum put a lot of emphasis on the CD4% as an indicator of progression.

Could anyone explain why there is such a drop, is this normal in an HIV negative individual given that there is so much emphasis on this needing to remain stable?

Secondly, my CD4 count has stayed the same at 610. I know this is on the low side but it has remained the same which is pleasing. How is it the same when my % has changed? Would it be possible if I was infected to have a CD4 count of 610 when I am now three years post exposure?

Your CD4 and % are within the normal range. You can take a blood draw at two different time within the same day and have a complete set of different numbers. You don't have HIV and this is an HIV website.

Thanks for the reply. I realise that the numbers are within normal range, but what bothers me is that they are continuing to drop. I did actually have them taken at the same time and place just to try and remain consistent.

Secondly I was wondering if someone was HIV positive for three years if they would maintain a CD4 of 600. I know that I have had numerous negative tests, but at the same time I have done a lot of reading over the past three years about recombinant strains of the virus and the fact that these may not be detectable on a molecular basis and possibly not in terms of an antibody EIA. I know that everyone will think that it is fanciful to suggest that I could have come into contact with such a strain, but the fact is here in the UK there are many infections occurnig outside of the UK and being brought back into the country. And here where I live we have a massive cultural diversity.

I maintained a CD4 count in the 1400s for 21 years. I was a LTNP, but I knew I was HIV+ and confirmed in 1984. You on the other hand are conclusively negative and you have your test results to prove it.

I have recently had another set of bloodwork taken at the same time as the previous two sets and with the same place to avoid any disparity. The latest numbers are CD4 790 at 41% with a WBC of 7.4. This is a marked improvement over the previous two CD4 counts. I was just wondering if it is normal in an HIV negative person to have such fluctuating numbers. With this above average CD4 count I am well on the way to believing that I do not have HIV and have felt a huge reilef for the first time in over three years and am starting to come to terms with the idea that maybe I have waisted a large part of my life.

At the same time I also had an instant HIV test that uses blood taken via a pin prick and gives the result in one minute. Is this a reliable form of test? With the negative in this and with the CD4 I am feeling pretty confident. Could someone infected with a rare strain have numbers that have risen back up like mine?

I want to believe that I am OK, but for the constant fungal stuff that has been happening ever since exposure. So far I can keep it at bay to an extent, but it is progressive. Would someone who was positive and had a CD4 of 790 get this fungal stuff occurring?

Forget about CD counts and WBC and any of the other stuff you're still throwing into the mix.

The ONLY way to know your HIV status is by getting tested at 13 weeks or more after a risky incident. You've done that and you have reliably tested negative. You ARE HIV negative. End of story. And yes, the pinprick is a reliable test.

You're negative. Get on with your life. If you are having physical symptoms that's something for to sort out with your doctor. This is NOT an HIV situation. Period. ryouprob

Thanks for your patience. I have been to my doctor on many occassions over the last three years and he just keeps re-iterating that these kind of fungal infections are quite common among both seronegative and seropositive individuals. I obviously have to just let it go, but the fact that it is starring back at me in the mirror is why I return to this worry time after time, and the fact that I never had these pre-exposure. I still don't understand why I now have 790 CD4 cells which is a marked increase, I guess that it is just a seasonal variation.

That's a long time to be burdened with this unwarranted fear. How about going to see a therapist or other such professional and talking out what's going on. Life is way to short in the best of scenarios and you don't want to spend it worrying needlessly as you are doing.

No matter what your mind may tell you, this is not an HIV situation. Get yourself some help with sorting out the emotional aspects of this situation is my suggestion.

Stop fretting about your CD4 results. CD4 counts can vary by hundreds during the course of the same day. That goes for both hiv positive and hiv negative individuals. Anything above 500 is considered to be in the normal range.

As for your fungal problems, sometimes they can be diet related. Maybe it's time you went to see a qualified nutritionist to find out if some changes to your diet might help you get rid of it.

Whatever is going on with you, we can safely say it has nothing to do with hiv. You ARE hiv negative.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

In January of this year I had another CD count and it was 650 at 36%. This is considerably lower than it was in September of last year. In view of that I had another CD taken in June of this year and it was practically the same, at 634 and 36%. Is this a real decrease in health from my test in September last year.

I appreciate this might be getting tired now. It is four years since my exposure. I have had enough of doctors visists for fungal stuff. I am not psychologically affected by any of this and it is not in my mind. When I first came here I was scared, now I don't care, but would like to get to the bottom of this. If I was infected with a non-B subtype, would my numbers over the last four years be indicative of progression. The problem with the latest set of results is that the CD8 has gone down considerably and now my CD3 percentage is well below the range as a result.

Is a massive drop in CD8 a bad thing for HIV positive people, or is the fact that I have a high ratio of 1.88 for CD4/CD8 promising.

If I was positive how long would it be for my numbers to decline to the stage where I would be nearing the end.

Sorry for the constant questions, but there really is no help here in the UK. I have lived a life of celebacy for four years now. Can't ever see that changing, but my doctor had the audacity to tell me not to let this worry me and I should have unprotected sex, get involved in dating, nothing to worry about. So as you can see, in the UK, as a heterosexual male I am really pissing into the wind trying to get any sense out of anyone.

Your CD4 count is well within the normal range. Your CD4 count will never, ever reveal your hiv status - ONLY an hiv test will. You are conclusively hiv negative. You do not have hiv. Work with your doctor to find out what, if anythng, is wrong with you. Whatever it is, it is NOT hiv. You do not have hiv.

You will not be permitted to use this forum to go on and on about your CD4 counts and/or fungal infections when you do not have hiv.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

With continuing fungal infections, skin issues and cognitive impairment and an inability to spell or communicate along with still declining CD counts I decided to be pro-active. I decided to head to Thailand where I could purchase generic drugs. I know I will get slated for that one. I was planning on maybe living there for the rest of my life, but can't stomach the place and it is not practical to keep bringing drugs back to the UK.

Whilst there I met a woman who I told about my predicament, we were in a bar, but it is obvious that she is a street hooker. She stayed with me the whole two weeks. I did not want to put her at risk, although I know everyone here will say I have no HIV. So I did not ejaculate in her. But I did not use a condom with her for two weeks of having intercourse almost everyday. This was the first two weeks of October, and after almost five and a half years of celebacy, some much needed release.

I know that in Thailand in particular it is a homogeneous pandemic and that almost 100 percent of infections are subytpe A/E. I also know that ELISAS are 100 percent accruate at picking this subype up. I was just wondering if I was already infected with a subtype, would the exposure to A/E then cause my body to produce antibodies to A/E, which would then be picked up and allow me the treatment that I want here in the UK?

It doesn't matter that you didn't ejaculate in her, you were still putting yourself at risk for hiv infection. You need to test for hiv at the three month point following your last unprotected encounter. Maybe then you'll finally get your wish of testing positive.

I think you need to get yourself to a therapist asap to find out why you never accepted your negative status and deliberately put yourself at risk.

And if you were hiv positive before going to Thailand (which you WERE NOT), you would have been putting this woman at risk even without ejaculating insider her. Pre-cum is also infectious. You believed yourself to be hiv positive and you did something that would have put her at risk. You've got some serious issues with your thinking processes.

And you know what else? With CD4 counts like yours, even if you WERE hiv positive, you would not be given hiv meds in the UK. Your CD4 counts are in normal ranges where no treatment is indicated.

You need help that is far outside the scope of this forum. Please seek it out.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Thanks for the response. My CD counts have decreased further. The last one about two months ago was at about 370 absolute and a percentage of 28.

As for putting the girl at risk, I am aware that pre-cum is infectious. And I know it would be unconscionable to put someone at risk. So I specifically told her my problem and that I believed that I was infected. Her English was very good, she understood, and was coy about her status, I took that to mean that she was infected. Also I was not taking advantage of the power inbalance in wealth and her needing money, because I did not pay her. In fact she paid for me most of the time in BKK because she wanted me to see the sights, and I came with limited funds. So it was not a client/hooker relationship, more friends.

As for psychiatric help, my psychiatrist says that heterosexuals don't get HIV, so no point in talking to him. My psyical appearance has deteriorated now. Not that I was vain, but it gets comments. I now work as a nightwathcman, despite the fact I have two first class degrees, but that is my choice as I avoid endlessly having to explain my appearnce. Unbeliveable, I would never challange anyone about their looks. I guess, just a lot of rude people in society.

My dentist is shocked. years of great teeth and now he says my immune system is not working properly and gums have receded to the point that I will need a large percent extracted. More looking weird, lol. And yes I am brushing same as before and following all his advice.

It is the mental block that gets me most though. I came from a poor background and managed to get two first class degrees whilst working full time nights. So I havent always been a moron. I know everyone has a must live at all cost attitude, but I feel I have achieved anyway, and cant' go on to do anything else now, so I'm happy for an end.

If I get a poz result and treatment, then maybe it will knock off the vl, and maybe if there is vl from another subtype it will knock that off. when I frist came here there were no studies on non b, subtype. snice ARV rollout in third world there is much data and better understanding. In fact the pol gene is so conserved and limited to how much it can mutate before it can't work that drugs seem effective on most drug naive people with different subtypes, unless they caugh a virus from prior treatment.

Basically I have nothing to lose. I could be right, or wrong. If right, I will get all the problems that come with ARV's, or might be lucky like some forum members and be storing problems for 10 years. time. If I am wrong, then it is a more progressive death. plus dignitas inform me that they will put me down if I have a verifiable illness.

I am not saying this is ideal and not my first choice of a ilfe, but it is what it is. If I had my way there would not be a massive non-human primate reservoir or viruses and I would not have been born in the decade that I was having to deal with this. I am not derodding anyghing any possiitve people have gone through, but that is my take.

I am perfectly rational, and not a spoilt individual, I can appreciate that even now I have more than 95 percent of the world.

So that's it really, just wanted to make clear that I would not put a girl at risk. It was my considered opinion that if she does that often in such a high risk country then she would be pos anyway. And to be honest I could not live the life I had of celebacy.

What do you think of my CD count, 370 and 28 percent? I am sure you will say that it is because I am mental that it is so low, but know, this is it.

What a nightmare, eh. No diagnosis and here I am suppresed immune system. I never thought that I would want to be poz, but frankly I would take a diagnosis of boring subtype B and a sensitive to everything geneotype anyday over this limbo land of not knowing why on earth I am progressing to a premature death.

10 years ago I was a two time ABA finalist, and now I feel like I'm 55 years old. No one will tell me that this is normal, becaues it aint. You don't go from perfectly fit to looking and feeling a wreck.

You do not have a suppressed immune system. A suppressed immune system is below 200 and/or 12%

If you insist on going on about this, you're going to be given a time out. You didn't have hiv when you went to Thailand - although after having unprotected intercourse with someone of unknown status, you might have it now. You'll just have to wait and test.

Instead of getting CD4 counts done - which will tell you NOTHING about your hiv status - why don't you work with your doctor to find out what, if anything, is actually wrong with you. It certainly wasn't hiv before you went to Thailand and put yourself at risk. I can't believe you acted in such a stupid and irresponsible manner. I really can't.

If you post about symptoms or CD4 counts one more time before you get your conclusive hiv ANTIBODY test, you WILL be given a time out. Enough is enough already.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I was wondering if my PM privileges will be restored ever, or is that a permenant ban. I now appreciate that a subordinate like myself should not be bothering anyone with a positive diagnosis. I honestly was not aware of that being an infringement because I had exchanged pm's in the past socially with some members who were positive.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

In the event that I ever test positive will I then be re-instated with full pm privileges? Just asking because it would then seem a moot point that I had the audacity to darken the inbox of a genunie poz person whilst I am still considered negative.

In the event that I ever test positive will I then be re-instated with full pm privileges?

What, are you going to become infected just so you can PM people here? Even if you do, the answer is NO. Get a grip already. Grow up and use condoms. This isn't a social networking site. Go join Face Book and leave us alone. OK? If you don't like how we run things here, there's a whole internet out there for you to explore.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Cleary Annn I am not wanting to be infected and certainly not so that I can use a PM facility. If I had my way there would be no form of immunodeficiency virus in the world, be it human or simian. But that is the world we face. I've no desire to be a part of any form of social network, this isn't about loneliness or the need to reach out to others. I am not questioning the way that you run things here. You must remember I have been a member for almost six years. When I frist joined the rules were not as stringent as they are now, so I thought nothing of sending a pm to others. Oh, and I intend on condom usage in the future, but it was a split condom that brought me here in the first place, so there are no guarantees of one's serostatus. Anyway thanks so much for all your past help, and I mean that sincerely.

Fucked up big time even by my standard about 10 weeks ago and used someone elses works, in a drink and drug fueled night of hedonism. Two weeks after I had a sore throat for 10 days and then swollen glands in my groin, still there.

Got a 9 weeks blood draw and collected the results today as negative. The GUM want me to come back to them at 12 weeks.

Just one question about the 9 weeks blood draw. On that day last week I had been in the gym in the morning, did two hours of heavy weights and then one hour of running. Then had a two hour walk in the afternoon on my way to the GUM. It was a rarity on that day in the UK, being that it was hot, about 21 degrees.

Took two nurses to draw my blood and about 4 attempts. Nurse said I had thick blood. Would that cause a false negative? If not is 9 weeks quite hopeful?

Fucked up big time even by my standard about 10 weeks ago and used someone elses works, in a drink and drug fueled night of hedonism. Two weeks after I had a sore throat for 10 days and then swollen glands in my groin, still there.

Got a 9 weeks blood draw and collected the results today as negative. The GUM want me to come back to them at 12 weeks.

Just one question about the 9 weeks blood draw. On that day last week I had been in the gym in the morning, did two hours of heavy weights and then one hour of running. Then had a two hour walk in the afternoon on my way to the GUM. It was a rarity on that day in the UK, being that it was hot, about 21 degrees.

Took two nurses to draw my blood and about 4 attempts. Nurse said I had thick blood. Would that cause a false negative? If not is 9 weeks quite hopeful?

Those details you're throwing into the mix are irrelevant. Protracted intravenous drug use can extend the testing period. But if this was a one-time only event then 13 weeks would be sufficient for a conclusive negative result.

A negative result at 9 weeks more than a little encouraging. You will almost certainly test negative at 13 weeks.

But you do need to stop playing russian roulette with your life and your health. Cut out this unsafe stuff, fella. I know of too many unhappy endings to that story.

You may want to read a recent thread concerning needle sharing. click here There's information there you should know - and it saves me from having to type it all out again.

Please do NOT post in that thread. If you have any questions regarding something you read there, make sure you come back into THIS thread to ask them. Thank you for your cooperation where this is concerned.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Just one more quick question. At my GUM they use third generation tests. I know that many say that fourth are great for early detection. But at 9 weeks is the 3rd generation as accurate as the 4th generation at this point?

Your results are not going to change in a matter of hours at this point in the game. You are conclusively hiv negative.

Protect your negative status from here on out. Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently and do not share works with anyone and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I have a quick testing question. It is fortunately not for myself but for a female friend of mine who uses IV drugs. I talked her into testing after my stupid behaviour and she got a positive ELISA. This was from the first blood sample. She says she hasn't shares works and has no risk factor and thinks it could be a false positive and has refused to go back. I am not privy to the conversation she has had with the GUM.

My question is would the GUM run the WB on the same sample, or require her to go back in? And if it was just the ELISA that was postive and then the WB negative would they have bothered telling her it was positive. It seems that it would just induce angst to do that without a clear positive WB.

If she has not had a WB and has one which is negative, then is that conclusive, i.e. trumping the ELISA?

I don't know how they do things at your GUM, but I had to go back the next day after my initial positive result and have more blood drawn, from which they did another ELISA plus a Western Blot. They did tell me about the initial positive result, but they also told me that because every single band on the ELISA was reactive, the second ELISA plus the Western Blot was more a formality than anything. And they were right - every band on the WB was reactive too. This was ten years ago, so it may be more stream-lined now and not every GUM clinic will follow exactly the same testing protocols.

Just because your friend hasn't shared works doesn't necessarily mean she has not been at risk. If she has ever had unprotected intercourse with anyone who she could not be 100% sure was hiv negative, then she has been at risk.

Also, I know what it's like to be an injecting drug user and if she has ever used in the presence of others, then she can't really be 100% sure she never used someone else's works or if someone else used her works. She should also test for hep C as hep C is MUCH more infectious than hiv and she could have been infected with hep C simply by using someone else's tie-off, spoon, water source or filter.

Please urge your friend to go in for follow-up testing. If she actually is hiv positive, she won't be doing herself any favours by ignoring it. She'll end up deathly ill in hospital one day - and she may not even have any prior warning of how ill she is. It's not uncommon for people with unmonitored, untreated hiv to go from feeling fine one day to lying in a hospital bed the next.

Please explain to her that having hiv in 2011 is nothing like having it in 1991 - the treatments today are very good and she could live a long, healthy, productive life - but only if she is paying attention to her virus and treating it when necessary. She can even have children. The only thing ignoring it will bring to her is serious illness resulting in death. It's as stark, dark and simple as that.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts